The relevance of the study is due to insufficient knowledge of the morphology of Demodex mites and their localization in hair follicles and sebaceous glands of various skin areas.

THE PURPOSE

Study of the visual appearance of Demodex mites and their localization in the structures of the human pilosebaceous complex by scanning electron and light microscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Visual appearance of Demodex mites imago were studied by scanning electron microscopy with computer color correction in the contents of scrapings of pilosebaceous hair complexes from 5 healthy male volunteers aged 30–40 years. Localization of mites in the pilosebaceous complexes was investigated by light microscopy in skin biopsies of the nasolabial region of 33 men aged 26–74 years who died as a result of various diseases or injuries. Punch biopsy was performed 12–15 hours after death, the resulting material was stained according to Van Gieson and Mallory.

RESULTS

The data obtained using scanning electron microscopy about visual appearance and basic structures of Demodex mites confirm and supplement the features of their morphology described in the literature. Study of localization of parasites by the method of light microscopy revealed the remnants of mites in the mouth of hair sheath of the follicles, in their lumen, in column of the epithelial lining, as well as in the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands and among the sebocytes.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained on a large biopsy material using scanning and light microscopy are of interest to research groups involved in the development and study of the pharmacological action of antiparasitic drugs.